A Northland man who stabbed a police dog twice in the head will spend more than five years behind bars.
Adam Tipene, 32, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison in the Whangārei District Court on Tuesday, police said in a statement.
Police said Tipene stabbed Caesar the dog after they were called to reports of a man threatening homeowners with a knife in the Parua Bay area in 2018.
Caesar was not critically injured but required veterinary care.
Northland District Commander Supt Tony Hill said it was fortunate the officer, Constable Joshua van der Kwaak, or Caesar, were not fatally wounded.
"The efforts of Josh and his dog on that night were very admirable," Hill said.
"For a time it was touch-and-go for Caesar, but thankfully he made a full recovery and he and his handler have gone on to attend more than 500 emergency jobs in the Northland District since then.
"I must acknowledge the victims in this matter who assisted Constable Van der Kwaak and Caesar after the incident."
Police said Tipene was convicted on charges relating to aggravated burglary, injuring a police dog, unlawfully interfering with a vehicle, and obstructing the police.
